Handel's Will (Hardback) ed. Donald Burrows

Facsimiles and Commentary

On June 1750, George Frideric Handel wrote out two copies of his will, which he subsequently amended with four codicils, the last one only a few days before his deaht in April 1759.

Here the two original copies of the will and codicils are reproduced in colour facsimile, along with other documents relating to the administration of his estate. 

The will provides insights into several aspects of Handel's life, including his family, his social circle and his personal wealth. The facsimiles are supplemented by essays contributed by distinguished authors, elucidating the content of the will, the circumstances in which he prepared and amended it, the benficiaries of his generosity (servants, family, professional colleagues, friends and charitable institutions), and the extraordinary success of his London career that is reflected in the bequests. 

Donald Barrows is Professor of Music at the Open University, Milton Keynes, Chairman of the Handel Institute, and a Vice-President of the Haendelgesellschaft. He is the author of several books about Handel, and the editor of many published volumes of Handel's works, including the operas Ariodante and Imenco, and the oratorios Messiah, Samson and Belshazzar.

Published by The Gerald Coke Handel Foundation

Paperback (also available in hardback)